DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 35, 16 June 1913, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

BREAKDOWN OF THE MAORI

A PROPELLER BROKEN

[Per Press Association.!

Christchurch, June 15

The turbine ferry steamer Maorj was nearly, half-an-hour late" arriving at Lyttelton from Wellington on Saturday morning. Inquiries made on board showed that the vessel had cast a blade from her centre propeller, at about 2.45 a.m., about ten miles north of Cheviot. The vessel had been steaming well, and was a litle ahead of her time. The first indication of the acident was a sudden jar to the ship, which woke up all the passengers, and which was followed by an excessive vibration owing to the propeller revolving at high speed with only two blades left. The high presure turbine driving gear was damaged. The propeller was eased down to stop the vibration, and the vessel came on to port at fifteen knots. She was docked at 11 o'clock, and it was found that the blade had snapped off close to the boss. A new propeller was fitted, and the vessel floated out and sailed last night. . MILITARY CAMPS. INCONVENIENCE TO FARMERS. Timaru, June 15. At the instance of the Provincial Executive, the local branches of the Farmers' Union are considering a remit to the Dominion conference regarding the dates for military camps. The branches which have dealt with the matter complain that the military authorities, after conferring with the farmers, and agreeing to hold the camps in October, as the most suitable, have ignored that arrangement, and hold them at a most inconvenient time for the farmers.

THE PASSIVE RESISTER

Christchurch, June 15

Yesterday the treasurer of the Passive Registers' Union telegraphed to the Minister of Justice: "Unless the boys are released from Ripa Island within 48 hours a serious position will arise. We are making, prer paration for 500 men possibly to take possession of the military barracks." Mr Allen, Minister of Defence, Replied that he wa^,inquiring'into the question seriously, and hoped the suggested proceedings;, would riot be carried out.

However, the president and'Vicepresident of. the-Union- subsequently stated that the treasurer had acted, on his own< initiative, and they 1 emphatically repudiated (the threat. 1 \■,

THE THREE-FIFTHS MAJORITY

Christchurch, June 15-.

On Saturday afternoon, Mr G. W. Russell, M.P., received a deputation of twenty members who waited on him ,to enlist his ( , support, ap mjeioaber.. fo ( r Avon, in abolishing' ihe majority oh the"liquor question.. The 'deputa'tibn was introduced by, Miss Kbherts, who'put'' forward several arguments in J favour of .aoofiflhing' the 'three-fifths' majority. She said that the Democratic League, which was being formed, pledged itself to vote for no one but the bare majority candidates for Parliament. Mr Russell, in reply, said that he was pledged to the electors of Avon to uphold the three-fifths' majority, and he could not break his pledge.

FAILURE OF THE WIRELESS

Wellington, June 16

In regard to the complaint by the Captain of the Niwaru that he failed to get into touch with the Wellington wireless station, and give advice about the Maori's mishap, the local wireless officials explain "that at 3.35 a.m. on Saturday they heard the Niwaru calling, and endeavoured to t>;et her, but the atmospheric conditions were apparently so Gad that they were unsuccessful. At 4.10 the steamer again called, and the local station immediately replied without effect. At 4.15, 4.23, and 4.55, the station again endeavoured to get into touch with the vessel, but failed. The H.M.S. New Zealand wirelessed at 1.13 and 4.55 that she had heard the Niwaru calling, and offered to assist in getting into touch with the steamer, Finally the message came through at 6.16 a.m. and was distributed by the local station Why the message was not sent through Lyttelton was 'that there was no vessel there capable of receiving a wireless telegram, and, further, the Maori had advised that she expected to get the 8 o'clock express, which meant that the message .vould have been too'late. SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY. Christchurch, June 15. Yesterday, the shop assistants in Christchurch and districts in the virility of the city, experienced the pleasure of ceasing work for the day at one, o'clock, as a result of the recent poll fixing Saturday as the day on vhich tiro weekly half-holiday is to ')e observed. Very fine weather prevailed, and various attractions wore provided in the shape of football and lockey, and the games were well patronised. The effect of the change in the day of the half-holiday was ? ully apparent in the streets during ;he.afternoon. As a ride on Saturday ifternoons, the streets of the city are hronged by people parading up and lown. Yesterday they wore a comparatively deserted appearance. All the shops, of course, were closed, and there was therefore really nothing to keep the people in town, and even the hotels were poorly patronised. In the morning, on the other hand, the oity appeared to be unusually busy and animated. It was the last opportunity of shopping before the weekend, and the retail establishments were kept going at top speed to satisfy che demands of customers. Between twelve and one was an exceptionally )usy period, and many of the shops vere positively rushed during this inerval. There were big crowds in the streets on Saturday night.